Ghana vs Uruguay – World Cup: Team news, lineups & prediction
Ghana and Uruguay face off on Friday in the hope of sealing a spot in the knockout stages of the World Cup.
Portugal have already qualified from Group H but both of these sides have the chance to join them. A victory would guarantee a spot in the next round for Ghana, while a draw would be enough if Portugal avoid defeat against South Korea.
As for Uruguay, they need a victory of their own to advance, but South Korea need to drop points as well.
Here’s all you need to know about this one.
Ghana vs Uruguay H2H Results (All Time)
Current Form (Last Five Games)
Ghana team news
Left-back Gideon Mensah was forced off late on in the victory over South Korea but later confirmed he was just dealing with cramp, suggesting he should be fit enough to feature once again.
Ghana Starting 11 (4-2-3-1): Ati-Zigi; Lamptey, Amartey, Salisu, Mensah; Partey, Abdul Samed; Kudus, A. Ayesw, J. Ayew; Williams
Bench: Danlad, Nurudeen, Aidoo, Djiku, Seidu, Rahman, Odoi, Owusu, Kyereh, Sulemana, Barnieh, Bukari, Fatawu, Sowah, Semenyo
Uruguay team news
We’re still yet to see centre-back Ronald Araujo and we might not see him at all after the Barcelona man suffered a relapse to the injury which nearly ruled him out of the competition in the first place.
Araujo isn’t expected back until the knockout stages, but given Uruguay’s struggles so far, he might not get the chance to return.
Uruguay Starting XI (3-5-2): Rochet; Giminez, Coates, Godin; Varela, De Arrascaeta, Valverde, Bentanur, Nunez; Suarez, Cavani
Bench: Muslera, Sosa, Caceres, Vina, Rodriguez, Torreira, Ugarte, De la Cruz, Vecino, Torres, Canobbio, Pellistri, Gomez, Olivera
Uruguay have no options here, they have to go for it. Only a victory will do, and even then, that may not be enough.
The South Americans may unleash all three of Darwin Nunez, Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani in the hope of sealing that win, and that sort of firepower may be too much for a Ghana side who have yet to convince defensively.
That being said, Jordan Ayew is in his playmaking prime for some reason and will hope to take advantage of the gaps that come about as a result of Uruguay’s pedal-to-the-metal approach. Expect goals, but Uruguay should get the job done.
Prediction: Ghana 1-3 Uruguay